Austin American-Statesman taps new managing editor

The Austin American-Statesman has appointed veteran senior editor John Bridges to its vacant managing editor's position.

He succeeds Debbie Hiott, who was promoted to editor of the American-Statesman to succeed Fred Zipp, who resigned in September.

The American-Statesman (
http://bit.ly/rBRJPx
) reports Bridges has served in most line editing positions at the newspaper since graduating from the University of Texas in 1988. Bridges has been chief of the copy desk, news editor, national editor, metro editor, sports editor and, most recently, senior editor for local and state news.

Atlanta-based Cox Newspapers, which owns the newspaper, named Bridges its 2005 editor of the year.